Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Secret #47

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"


"I know you mean well when you vigorously lather your dog with shampoo and then vigorously rub him dry with the towel, but that can jam hairs under the skin like little splinters and cause horrible infections that are very painful. It's especially a problem for short coated dogs like Weimereiners, Boston Terriers, Pugs, labs and Boxers."

Aaallll righty, then. I can honestly say I've never seen a skin infection that I could attribute to overzealous drying. I'm not sure what this tech was seeing, but I find the connection between toweling dry and skin infections to be a slim possibility.

What I do see, everyday, are skin infections secondary to allergic irritation of the skin, and subsequent scratching and biting by the patient. So go ahead and bathe your dog when needed without fear.




Enjoy your pets!

Secret #49- here, kitty, kitty

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"


"Take your cat to the vet in a plastic cat carrier with a removable top, and have your vet remove the lid for the exam. Your pet will feel more secure and be less likely to fight or try to flee."

These carriers are great! Many cats prefer to be examined sitting in the bottom half, it does feel secure and maybe smells more like home. Add a spritz of Feliway to help calm nerves, and we're golden.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Secret #48- the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"


"If the plaque sprays and dental water additives really worked, none of us would be telling you to brush your pet's teeth."

Amen. The sprays might make the tartar flake off easier- and that is a good thing, but nothing beats the mechanical removal of plaque, i.e. brushing. Daily brushing is best, though I tell folks it does not have to be very formal- wiping the outsides of the tooth surfaces with a towel can work fine.

Also- pretty much every dog is going to need a proper, vet-done dental cleaning under general anesthetic at some point in his or her life. Non-anaesthetic scaling of teeth doe not compare, and does not replace the ability to carefully examine each tooth, radiograph if needed, and perform extractions when needed on a compliant (asleep) patient.

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

"Where were you?"

Tuesday, September 11. 2001.

I was at work. It was a typical Tuesday. Not too many appointments were scheduled.

When a client at the front desk told us she heard on the radio that an airplane had hit one of the Twin Towers and maybe the Pentagon, we thought it was a radio morning show prank. Then another person came in and told us the tower was burning.

We turned on the television- at that time we had a TV in each of the exam rooms. We got reasonable reception just in time to see the second tower hit. Then we watched them burn, and finally watched them fall.

I remember an overwhelming need to know where all my loved ones were. I needed to know they were all safe. It was hard to believe the world kept turning.

I remember being amazed that the towers held as long as they did, that so many had time to evacuate. That the death toll wasn't higher. Images of people helping others as they fled.

I remember images of people in the Middle East dancing in the street in celebration. I remember feeling rage- cold rage over that.

I tracked planes in the sky and had nightmares for years. I have friends who joined the military to do something in support of the country.

On this anniversary, I hope that we will remember the sorrow, temper the rage, and work toward the tolerance that would make acts like this unthinkable. I, myself, cannot forgive those involved. I just don't have it in me to this day.




Monday, September 10, 2012

Secret #46- I'll call it a LASER

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"


"Want to exercise your cat without getting of the couch? Get one of those little laser beams."

Laser lights are great for cats- they love to chase the red "bugs" around the room. Catnip toys are also good, classic toys for cats. There are many great toy options to let cats practice their hunting skills- and this helps keep them happy and mentally sharp.

Enjoy your pets.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Secret #44- whisper me this

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Yes, dog whisperer Cesar Milan has turned some aggressive dogs around, but-please-don't train your dog that way. Using aggressive tactics can cause serious behavior problems and may not be effective."

Vets have been complaining about Mr. Milan's training tactics for years. He tends to use aggressive techniques that are largely considered outdated, and frequently dangerous. There are many  more really good trainers who use positive reinforcement for as good or better results. For great information, check out Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinary behaviorist, who not only consults as a vet and has written professional texts, but who has published some really helpful books for pet owners, as well.

www.drsophiayin.com

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Secret #43- one for you, one for me

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Don't ever share your medicines with your pets unless your vet says it's OK. One Tylenol will likely kill a cat."

There are a few over the counter medications that are safe and effective for your pets. But nothing should ever be given without consulting your vet!

I spoke with someone recently who nearly lost her dog after giving Aleve over several days. The dog's pain was gone, but she required a blood transfusion after ulcerating her intestines.

Tylenol kills cats. Period. Doses of medications we might tell you are OK, like aspirin or benadryl, might be different from what you would think. Herbals need to be used with caution, too. Ask us. Really. We want you to have good information. We want you to...

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Secret #40, 42, 45 commercial drugs

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

40 "You can go to an online pharmacy and get the same exact drugs you would for 10 to 20 percent off. But check first to make sure it's certified as a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPS certified). Some vets will also match online prices- you just have to know to ask."

42 "Some veterinary drugs have a generic version that's made for humans, and if your vet believes it's a safe and effective alternative, you can get it from a human pharmacy and pay ten times less than you'd pay for the animal version. But recognize that there are legitimate reasons why the generic might not be appropriate for your pet."

45 "A lot of pet medications are available at human pharmacies for lower prices than we charge. Walgreens even has a list of veterinary medicines for $4 per one-month dose. These are medications that you would pay $20 or $30 dollars for at your vet."



UGH.  Apparently this is a hot topic- or at least we think it is. Look, vets' medications sold from the hospital are a profit source. There, I said it. I make money when you buy drugs from me. So do the pharmacists when you buy from them, or those folks who answer the phone for 1-800- youknowwho. And yes, you might pay a bit more for mine than those you can get on line. You will get meds from me right now, those from the pharmacy later today, and those on line later this week. Are they all really the exact same thing?

Medications from me have gone from the manufacturer to the distributor to me. I know they have been stored properly. I can trace them back the other way. Those meds that you get online (including heartworm and flea meds, and vaccines) have gone from manufacturer to distributor to someone else to someone else, etc. There are documented cases of expired veterinary medications- especially flea and heartworm products- being shipped overseas, repackaged to look like they are still good, then shipped back to the US and sold as "the same as" those you get from the vet.

There are some good generic medications out there. There are even some prescription medications that my clinic has stopped carrying because we can write you a prescription and have the same drugs filled at a local pharmacy less expensively for you. There are times I need a medication properly compounded to the strength you need- that requires a compounding pharmacist; their services are invaluable. So I'm not saying don't use pharmacies.

Yes, many pharmacies will have generics for $4 or less- they can be used as loss leaders. Once they get you in the store, they hope you will do some other shopping. This is how business works. I have no problem with it. I  might not think to offer that- but feel free to ask.

I will write you a prescription. You can do with it as you will. Just please be aware- it might not actually be the "same" as that you get from me. Also- take that source of income away from your vet, and you might find yourself paying $100 exam fees and walking out with a handful of prescriptions that still need to be filled. I actually think this is in the future for us- that we will function more like MDs and will charge more for our time and expertise as we give up making money from products. To use an overused phrase- it is what it is. Some vets are really fighting this change, and all of us want to be sure you are actually getting the best products for the health of your pets.

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Secret #41- they put WHAT in there?

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Just because food is premium priced doesn't mean it;'s good stuff. That's especially true with many foods that come in those little gourmet pouches or cans. You pay $3 a package and it's basically just junk food with little nutritional value. Do some research, and have your vet read the ingredients list with you."

True. Actually, one of the best ways to be sure that the food you are buying is well balanced is to look for AAFCO feeding trial labels. This means that they have gone above nutritional analysis to actually feeding the diet according to label directions, and have monitored the results.

Enjoy your pets!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Secret #39- pass the gas

"One way to make sure your vet is up on the latest stuff? Ask what medications he uses for anesthesia. If he says he uses ketamine or halothane gas, that's not good. That's like 1970s medicine. Isoflurane and sevoflourane are alot safer."

There are many variations in how vets practice medicine. We all are trained by professors with biases, and trained with the most up to date information available, but information and biases change with time. We are required to attend continuing education classes yearly, but no-one tells us what information we must be trained on.

The point? Most of us see standards of practice as a moving target- we are constantly re-evaluating how we do things- from exam and diagnosis to treatment and surgery. I think the way we each end up practicing veterinary medicine as an amalgamation of all that we have seen, done, and been taught. We take a bit from all of those who influence us and combine it into our own way of doing things.

Having said that, I use ketamine. In combinations with other medications, it gives cats a wonderful plane of anesthesia for many procedures. I also use propofol, which is considered pretty modern anesthesia. I have used both isoflurane and sevo in practice. I have worked in places with halothane.

I'm not sure grilling your vet on anesthetic protocols is the best way to evaluate the "modernity" of a practice. I'm not sure there is a good way to evaluate how modern a practice's medicine is. One way might be to look for American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) certified practices. These are vet hospitals that undergo a voluntary evaluation by AAHA, and are shown to meet criteria set up to evaluate the medicine, surgery, and management of the hospital. The evaluation might not be a guarantee of good medicine, but I think the motivation involved in getting certified indicates a motivation to stay up to date in other areas.

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Secret #38- rubber jaw

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Home cooking for your pet is harder than you think. I once saw a dog who was fed a home-cooked diet of chicken breast and vegetables for a year, and his bones became so weak that his jaw broke. If you would like to cook for your pet, find a veterinary nutritionist who can help guide you, or check out balanceit.com"

Oh, that poor dog! This type of bone weakness is very rare, but I think it's a good warning: it's not as easy as you might think to properly balance a pet's diet. Pet food companies put lost of time and resources into researching the best diets to keep our pets healthy as long as possible. There are many nutrients that a chicken and veggie diet won't have- like calcium.

Truly, sticking with a good quality dry (or for cats, canned) diet from a reliable manufacturer is still the best bet.  Ask your vet for recommendations. Or, if you really want home-made, do some research so it's done right.

Enjoy your pets!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Secret #37- pass the leftovers, please

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Giving food is not giving love. Obesity will hurt their health and decrease their lifespan. Instead, give affection. Pet them, brush them, love them, and walk them."

This really goes back the the issues with obesity. We use food as social interactions with each other, and we want to include our pets in this as well. Giving a bit of extra food now and then is not an issue in itself- but overfeeding is. Watch the waistline!

I have older blogs on obesity if you are looking for a bit more info- or call your vet!

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Secret #36- technical issues

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"When you're looking for a new vet, always check out the staff. A lot of times they'll be listed online. Look for technicians who are certified or licensed (they'll have RVT, LVT, or CVT after their names)."

Staff is the backbone and the life's blood of any practice. A good vet tech is worth his or her weight in gold.

I think perhaps the write of this quote wanted you to know that some hospitals are staffed with assistants rather than techs. This may be true. And there are certain procedures that techs can legally do that assistants cannot. One could make the argument that an up-to-date practice will have a licensed tech available.

Here's the rub- there are not as many techs as there are jobs available. So I wouldn't necessarily discount a practice based in a lack of technicians on the staff.  Not having an LVT means the vet is likely doing many of the things I have not needed to do for years (I love being spoiled), like placing IV catheters and drawing blood. Having excellent technical staff means there is more time for the vet to do what we do best- diagnose, prescribe treatments, and perform surgery.

So, I would not tell anyone to avoid a practice that does not employ LVTs. But I do like having them at my back.

Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Secret #35- Thank you!

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Most vets put themselves through 8 to 12 years of school and have huge student debts. We love animals and want to help them. Most of us start our day early, finish late, and are available for emergencies."

Yep. This runs with the other overworked, underpaid- feeling posts on the list of 50.

We love pets. We love their people. We get really tired of feeling that our efforts do not get recognized.

Don't get me wrong- many of you take a moment to thank us for our time and work- and we really appreciate that. Some of you send us cards- we love that. Some send cookies- our staff members really love that.

There are those who don't seem to appreciate us. There are even some who (gasp) think that we're in it for the money. This makes us sad and defensive, hence the plethora of "secrets" along this line in the article. We try our best, just like I presume you do at your job. We like to be liked, and we want everyone to understand just how hard we have worked to get where we are, and how hard we continue to work to help your pets be healthy.

So here's a proposal: say thanks to your vet.  Take it a step further, even. Say thanks to everyone who earns a paycheck doing something that helps you, some of whom also may feel underpaid and under appreciated. Remember those random acts could really make someone's day!

Enjoy your pets!



Monday, August 13, 2012

Secret #34

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"



" If we wanted to go into it for the money, we'd have become human doctors."

I could have gone to med school. Really. I scored high on the entrance exams- higher than a couple friends who had gotten pre-admittance to med schools.

I chose to pursue vet med instead. I did it knowing that I would not become rich. I did it because I want to help pets and their people.

Vets are one of the lowest paid professions with post-graduate degrees. We have an inferiority complex about it sometimes, and feel the need to defend ourselves. We work long hours, act as pediatrician, surgeon, dentist, internist, oncologist, geriatrician, and councillor.

We love it. We did not go into it for the money.

Enjoy your pets.


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Secret #33- show me your title and insurance

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Some people worry that paying for pet insurance will be a waste if they don't use it. But when you renew your fire insurance on your house, do you say, 'Shoot, my house didn't burn down last year- I wasted all that money?'"

I like this. I pay my car insurance and life insurance, and never think that I have been cheated by not needing it.

But what if you really don't want to pay monthly premiums for pet insurance?

I offer a different approach to my clients- well, a couple. First, if you trust yourself to budget well, you can set up a savings account. Put in $50 per month, or whatever amount. Earmark the money for vet expenses. Use it for routine care, or save it up as an emergency fund. Then you feel like the money is yours no matter what.

Another option might be to "pre-pay" your vet. I have offered to have people bring in a little money at a time that we deposit on account for the client. Sort of like layaway, I guess. Then they can build up a balance to cover a spay, or a dental procedure. I wouldn't use this as insurance against a big, unexpected bill, though. I think it would work best for expected, planned services.

Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Secret #31- cost cutting

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Unfortunately, I've had to work in low-cost clinics, and many of them are cutting corners to make a profit. Some placed give half doses of vaccines instead of full doses, which is totally illegal and ineffective."

Vaccines are made to be given a whole dose at a time, no matter the size of the patient. A half dose is indeed wrong and possibly illegal.

Look, we all work for a living, we have bills to pay. And yes, you get what you pay for in veterinary care as in just about everything else. I recommend some caution with price shopping- there has to be some reason one person's prices are much cheaper than others. It might be innocuous- they might have lower overhead costs, the building might be paid for, the practice is rural with lower costs overall. But the differences might not be so harmless- they might give half doses of vaccine, or find other ways to cut costs that would make me flinch.

Most vet practices are moral, legal, upstanding. Watch for the bad apples, but don't let them spoil the perception of the basketful.

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Secret #30- I'm late for my tee time!

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"If your animal is really sick, it's better to bring him in during the morning. A vet I once worked with would do a huge work up when a sick animal came in early. But if the animal came in late in the day, the vet would actually encourage the owner to euthanize. But I would add that this is not common."

Not common? I would hope that it would be downright rare!

Sounds like this vet was working for someone with serious fatigue. Or maybe he or she had a standing meeting committment of some sort. I can't pretend to guess. Treating patients diffently based on the time of day of the appointment is wrong, and should not be tolerated.

I have seen articles that recommend getting early morning or just after lunch appointments with a doctor so that the MDs don't have a chance to get too far behind. But I can't say I've seen anyone say that you get better care in the morning.

You have to trust your vet. We are human, and make mistakes. But we should all strive to provide the best care we know how.

Enjoy your pets!

Addendum: So, I've been thinking about this one a bit. I wonder about the circumstances surrounding this vet's experience. Did it happen mor than once? Maybe there were vast differences in the signs the pets were showing. Maybe the accused vet knew the clients well enough to know what they would or would not do. Maybe there was more to the conversations between the accused vet and the clients than the quoted vet knew. We need to be careful about casting stones without having the whole picture.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Secret #29- sniffles

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"The biggest mistake pet owners make is calling the vet too late. Pet's rarely get colds or the flu, and they almost never get food poisoning. So if they're sick for more than a day, call us."

Well, there is such a thing as canine flu virus. And I see upper respiratory infections (might be called colds) fairly frequently. I think the point this vet is making is this- don't sit on a problem and hope it resolves. There are certainly some self-limiting illnesses out pets can get, but they can't tell us how they feel, and many will try to tough it through until they are so sick it can be dangerous to them. Calling for an appointment sooner rather than later is always a good idea.

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Secret #28- cold noses

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"A cold, wet nose on a dog does not necessarily mean he's healthy. I've seen plenty of sick dogs with wet noses."


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The cold nose thing is an old wives' tale (tail?). A warm nose does not necessarily indicate fever, either. If you want to check your dog's temp at home- rectal is best. Be careful- he might not like it! Normal temperature range for dogs and cats is about 101-102 degrees F.

Of course, if there are any issues you have, any questions about your pet's health, call us!

Enjoy your pets!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Secret #27- to shoot or not to shoot?

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"After the kitten vaccinations, indoor cats don't really need to be vaccinated. They're not going to get rabies sitting inside the house. Vaccines have the potential to create a lot of harm for cats, including possible tumors at the vaccination site."

My first year after vet school, I worked in a great small animal practice east of Cincinnati. One morning the tech and I came into the building to discover a dead bat on the floor of the treatment area (sometimes referred to as "the back"). We picked up the bat, handled it a bit- bats are cool! On a whim, we decided to submit the body for rabies testing. I'll give you once guess as to the results.

Yep, rabies positive. The tech underwent post-exposure vaccines. We monitored the clinic cat for months.

The point? The animals most likely to carry and spread rabies vary from area to area. In my part of Ohio, we have bat carriers. Eastern states have problems with racoon varients, and in the western states coyotes might be the biggest risk.

Yes, indoor cats might be a relatively low risk for rabies. But that rabid bat made its way into a vet hospital. I have had bats in my house. Tell me I am not risking my cats (or myself, or my kids) by not vaccinating. Rabies is fatal. Period.

Many areas have laws that require rabies vaccines for cats as well as dogs, inside or out. The state does not care about the cat's health, this is a human health issue. A rabid kitten biting neighborhood kids could be devastating. Imagine the lawsuits.

Yes, vaccines can have side effects. So do antibiotics. And pain medications. Heck, water can be a toxin (it is not well absorbed by the lungs). So we weigh risk and benefits with everything we do. There are very good vaccines out there for cats that minimize the chances of harmful effects- ask your vet about the pros and cons.

Enjoy your pets!

PS- I heard this really great interview soon after writing this rebuttal- it's very interesting!

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/19/157049292/terrible-virus-fascinating-history-in-rabid

Monday, July 30, 2012

Secret #26- blood-suckers

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

" The cheaper, over-the-counter spot-on flea and tick treatments are extremely dangerous. I've seen animals having violent seizures after using them; I've seen animals die. Ironically, most of these animals still have live fleas crawling all over them."

I wish there was a cheap, safe and effective OTC flea and tick product for pets. I really do. I hate fleas, and I remeber summers spent bathing the dog, powdering the cats, collaring everyone, and still having fleas crawl up my socks as I walked across carpet in the house. YUCK!

But here's the thing. The OTC products are old technology. Old chemistry. Product that we know is no longer effective. Most of them contain chemicals that can be very dangerous for cats. I, too, have seen cats' lives put at risk from these products, and I never recommend them.

Which leaves us with more effective, generally safe, but more costly option for flea control. Yes, $20ish dollars per pet per month adds up. I sympathize. But the only way to control the problem is to use an effective treatment. Ask us vets what we use. Try to budget accordingly.

A couple slightly off-topic notes- never use a product labeled "for dogs only" on cats. Cats are not small dogs. They can have real problems with medications that dogs handle just fine. This includes prescription products from the vet.

Pocket pets also have specific needs and challenges for parasite control. Ask your vet.

Be very cautious about ordering meds online. There are some unscrupulous people out there trying to make money with counterfiet product, or expired products that have been repackaged with fake info and expiration dates. The more people to "touch" a product, the more oppurtunity for graft. The meds at the vet have gone from the manufacturer to the distributor to the vet. The meds online have gone who knows where. Just sayin.'

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Secret #25- in the raw

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Some people are really into a raw-food diet for pets, but it's a huge public health hazard. Think about it: You have raw meat, you're touching it, your dog touches it, and then the dog goes and licks the baby. I've had two patients die and two patients get really sick from it."

Raw food is hard to do right, for many reasons. Balancing the diet is tricky and time-consuming, and needs to be watched constantly, to avoid what some nutritionists call "drift."

Messing with raw meat puts us all at risk. Have you heard of Salmonella? E. coli? Toxoplasmosis? Trichonella? There is a reason we don't eat raw (sushi and tar tar aside). Our pets are not wild animals. They have been carefully bred over thousands of years to be our companions. Their systems are no longer equipped to process raw meats. When was the last time you saw a miniature poodle taking down a caribou? And what is the average life expectancy of wild dogs? Ever thing diet might contribute to early death for them?

Seriously, commercial foods- good quality ones- have all your pet needs, in a palatable form, with little waste. I think of it like the food squares on the original Star Trek- all your needs in a small package. Companies have spent years and dollars researching and perfecting these diets. Heck, I wouldn't mind being on one myself some days! It certainly would help my physique.

One thing about raw diets you might not realize- no only does the risk of food borne disease increase for the pet fed the diet, it increases the risk in the household. And not just directly from the dog locking the baby. Dishwashers can spread the nasty bacteria onto all of the dishes and utensils in the washer- the water might not get hot enough to kill everything adequately.

So, if you really want to go raw- be sure you do your research. Even cooked home made diets need research. Find a vet nutritionist to consult if you can, or a reliable website like balanceit.com

Enjoy your pets!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Secret #24- supplemetary

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Even though you see vitamins on the shelves in pet staores, healthy pets don't need them. The pet food companies have spent billions of dollars to make sure their pet food is properly balances with every vitamin and mineral a pet needs."

True. Feeding a good, balancd, AAFCO certified diet is enough. There's nothing wrong with vitamins, but they aren't needed.

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Secret #23- unleashed

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"I hate retractable leashes. The locking mechanism pops open so easily, and suddenly the pet is flying to the end of it, and maybe it's into the street or into the jaws of another dog. I've had people bring in a pet who got hit by a car because they were using a retractable leash and the locking mechanism broke."

I have been burned by retractable leashes. Literally- rope burns across the backs of my knees. I don't like chains as leashes, either. Leather is OK. And plain old leashes 5-6 feet long are generally great. You want to be in control- that's the point.

So, be careful with retractables. Use a leash that allows you to make your dog stop suddenly if needed. Even better, train him to stay by your side on or off leash. I will still recommend keeping everyone on leash in the vet's office- it's really just safer for all involved.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Secret #22- haute breed-ure

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"I hate to break it to you, but your $2,000 dollar designer dog is a mutt. Puppy stores and breeders have created these cute names like Morkipoos and Puggles, and now people are paying $2,000 for a dog they couldn't give away at the pound 10 yeasr ago. Whoever started the trend is a marketing genious."

**laughing**

Yes, the mixed breeds of yesterday are the designer breeds of today. Who knows, maybe some will be bred through a few generations, and will no longer be "designer."

But for now, these dogs are first generation- mom is one breed, dad another- and are generally very expensive mutts. Don't misunderstand- I like them, all the doodles and poos and mini walruses and puggles are lots of fun and very cute. If you want one and can afford it, great! I will be glad to help you care for her.

If you want one and can't afford it, you might check shelters and rescues- there are a lot of very cute mixed breed dogs looking for good homes. And again, I will be glad to help care for them.

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Secret #21- holiday house cleaning

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"No regulation says vets have to check certain lists before they euthanize an animal, and lots of vets still do convenience euthanasia for owners who prefer the easy way out. We see alot of euthanasia in November and December, just because people are getting ready for the holidays. I refuse to do it."

Convenience euthanasia sucks. Basically, this is when someone decides that the pet they have is no longer "convenient" to have around and opt for euthanasia. Yes, it happens. No, there is no checklist or governing body that oversees each euthanasia we perform (what a job that would be- ugh).

But there is such a thing as conscience. We use it every day. I would venture to guess that most vets prefer life to death, and most will refuse to euthanize a perfectly healthy pet for the owner's convenience.

Interestingly, this comes up occasionally when an owner dies and has left instructions that the pets be euthanized as well, since apparently the owner feels that no one else is capable of caring for the pets. Each vet has to make the decision for him or herself, and abide by his or her conscience.

If the vets refuse to euthanize, I would bet that many of these pets end up in shelters. Does that mean we are just passing the buck?

Let me be clear- I do not euthanize healthy animals for the convenience of people.

I do euthanize animals with health problems (or in some cases, behavior problems) that have become too much for their people to handle. I will not allow a pet to live in misery if I can help it. I will not leave a pet that is dangerous able to hurt more people or other animals.

Holiday cleaning house- I admit, some joke about how we seem to see an increase in euthanasia certain times of the year. I have never actually tracked numbers to see if it really happens. It might be like saying the crazies all come out with the full moon....I just don't know.


Friday, July 20, 2012

secret #20- study in the sun

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Your vet may not have gotten into vet school! Vets who can't get into traditional U.S. veterinary programs due to bad grades and poor test scores often go to for-profit schools in the Caribbean, where, basically, if you can pay the tuition, you get in."

So not true!  (Yes- bold, italic, underline, exclamation point)


I cannot emphasize this enough- your vet, every vet practicing in the U.S. did go to vet school.

It is possible that he or she did not go to vet school in the continental United States. Some people get their graduate degree elsewhere. But to practice veterinary medicine in the U.S., they must pass the same national licensing (boards) examination I did. In fact, vets who attended oversees schools generally have to pass other tests before being licensed here, as well. They may have to spend some time in an internship-type role before  they are allowed to practice.

I work with a vet who attended a vet school in the Caribbean. This is a school that is certified by the ruling body in the States. She had to have excellent grades and test scores (GRE, MCAT) to get in. She finished with a year at a state-side teaching vet hospital associated with a large university. She is one of the best vets I have had the pleasure to work with.

Can you tell I'm a bit aggravated?

Look, there are very few vet schools in the U.S. (fewer than one per state), as opposed to the multitude of human medical schools.  Traditionally, there are as many as 4 or more applicants for each "seat" available in an entering class of vet wanna-be's. Other countries- including England- have opened up some seats at their schools for students from the U.S. Are they more expensive? Frequently, yes. Are they of poorer quality- no. Are they really vet schools, as the writer of the above comment seems to be questioning- YES!

So, no worries. If your vet is licensed in your state, you can rest assured that he or she did indeed go to vet school. Ask which one- we usually like talking about our alma maters.  (By the way, Go Buckeyes!)

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

secret #19- behave!

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You"

"Behavior issues are the number 1 cause of re-homing, euthanasia and death. Yet, because it's not medical, most of us don't learn much about that in veterinary school."

Training in behavior is better all the time. We have some wonderful vet behaviorists who are making tremendous inroads in helping all of us become better informed and better equipped to help with  behavior issues.  Life-long learning is part of the commitment we make when we become veterinarians- learning does not stop after vet school.

And I would argue that many behavior issues are medical, and that is even more incentive to keep up with the most recent information out there.

Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

secret #18- good death?

My comments on Reader's Digest article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You" continues...

"I'll let you in on a secret of no-kill shelters: We had a contract with our local Humane Society that stated we'd euthanize the animals that needed to be out down. One Sunday they sent us 72 cats to put down. By the end, we were all emotionally devastated."

Well, I would be interested in asking this tech a couple questions. Was the H.S. that they were contracted with calling itself no-kill? If so, that is reprehensible and something should be done.

No-kill shelters may not always be absolutely no-kill. An animal in distress or with a severe health problem, or perhaps a severe behavior problem might need to be euthanized for compassionate reasons.

Pet overpopulation is a problem. Harsh measures (mass euthanasia) are taken every day, and will be until the populations are controlled. Please spay, neuter, and adopt.

I would hope that the board of this particular shelter would seriously consider how truthful they are being with the public, and make needed changes.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, July 16, 2012

secret #17- Practice Makes Perfect

The ongoing parsing of Reader's Digests article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You" continues....

"New staff or training students sometimes practice injections or catheter placement on your pet. If you'd rather not allow your pet to be used this way, make sure you say something beforehand."

I am having trouble even starting to address this one.

Here's the fact- each state has a set of laws that lays out rules for who can do what. This is as true in veterinary medicine as it is on the human side. So I'm not sure to what this person is referring. Yes, there may be newly graduated vet techs in the practice. Just like the vet might be "new."

But you have to remember that these are highly trained professionals, not random people off the street. They have already completed training, and by law are allowed to perform tasks within their job descriptions.  Is there some on the job training? Sure. there's a first (and second) time for everything. Even for me.

Seems to me that if you trust your vet to have hired competent staff, and to oversee them properly, this should not be a concern.

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

secret #16- freebies

I am taking on Reader's Digest's article "50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You."  We continue.....


"Sometimes we do things for free just because we want to help the pet."

Yeah, well....I've been known to adjust some charges. And I know some things are done in the name of experience and practice for free or greatly reduced prices.

But don't expect to guilt us into it. That frequently backfires. We do have businesses to run, employess to pay, lights to keep on. IF we choose to offer our time and experience and recources for free, we will. Be greatful.

And yes, we do love animals. Really. And yes, we want to help. Really. In a perfect world we would never charge anyone for anything- we would practice veterinary medicine because we love to. In the world we are given, we need money to come in....because it does go out.

Friday, July 13, 2012

secret #15- one-eyed, three-legged dog named Lucky

"When people surrender their pets because they can't afford their problems, I often end up with them. I've got a 3-legged cat, a one-eyed cat, three dogs that required major surgeries, one goat and 11 chickens."

There are in-house jokes about vets and staff having the worst pets- they get obscure diseases, or "normal" diseases in large numbers. Or we take on someone else's problem pet.

But I caution you- don't assume that your vet will re-home a pet that is sick or has become inconvenient. We have to draw the line, and that line might involve a difficult decision on your part. We love to help, but we do not have infinite resources, either.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, July 9, 2012

secret #14- people skills

"Every time we help a pet, we help a person. The classic example is the 80-year old grandma who has nothing in life but her cat. She's a widow with very limited social contact, and the cat is what connects her to life. So when we help her cat, she's really the one we're helping."

True.

Vet school teaches us how to treat animals. Life and experience teach us how to treat people. A vet can be excellent medically but never "get" the people side of things. The best vets I have known have been smart, great with medicine and surgery, but also really compassionate with the pet's people. These are the docs I admire the most.

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

secret #13- scraps

"You should never give pets chocolate, because it is toxic to most of them. But my cat is obsessed with it, and is all over me when I'm eating it, so sometimes I give her a sliver. Just and itsy-bitsy, tiny one."

Another example of us not necessarily following our own rules. Yes, we are human. We have pets that get table food sometimes. Some of us even *gasp* have overweight pets. (Insert grin here)

Chocolate can be quite toxic to dogs. They do not process the caffeine and another component- theobromine- the way we do, and it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, increased heart rate, anxiety , and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Chocolate covered coffee beans- well, let's not go there.

I am not certain how toxic chocolate is for cats. I've never had reason to check before. There are other things to avoid in cats- over the counter pain medications, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), garlic and onions, can be deadly. So proceed with caution. A bite of this or that, the last of the milk and cereal in your bowl, is not likely to do harm.

And as for dogs- keep the chocolate put up. And the coffee. And the grapes, raisins, raw meat, bones. Sugarless gum with xylitol can cause severe low blood sugar. Potential toxicities abound, so dog-proof the larder.

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Secret #12- show me your liscense and registration, please

"At a veterinary meeting I attended, it came out that more than half the vets there had not licensed their dogs, which is required by local law."

Well, this may be a case of  "do as I say, not as I do." Or perhaps "shoemakers wives go barefoot and doctor's wives die young."

My dogs are licensed. It is the right thing to do, and the legal one. I encourage my puppy owners to get their licenses. Vets should do the same. I hate to think that the lack of licesnsure is deliberate- we are all busy, and it's easy to overlook some things.

So, vets, let's be sure we "practice what we preach" and take all the right steps to keep our pets safe.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Secret #11- OUCH!

"Alot of veterinarians have told me matter-of-factly that they still don't use painkillers for procedures that we know are painful. They think that dogs and cats don't need it or that feeling pain after surgery is good because it keeps them from moving around too much. But reasearch has shown that pets who are in less pain heal faster, sleep better, and don't move around as much."

In my opinion, painkillers are not an option. Pre-empting pain by giving pain medication before surgery helps recovery immensely. Pain meds after extensive (and maybe not so extensive) surgery is a given.

It's true pets react differently to pain that we do, but that doesn't mean they don't feel it the same way we do. And there are, in fact, very good studies showing how much better pets do when their pain is well controlled. So, yes, I agree.

There may be vets who do not understand the benefits of excellent pain control, but I hesitate to agree that there are "alot" of them. I think the evidence for pain control is out there, agreed upon, and generally considered to be the standard of care. Sure, there are sub-par vets in existance, but I think they are a distinct minority.



Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Secret #10- :)

"Every time I save a life, every time I fix a patient, that makes everything worth it. And I love it when a client says, 'I wish my physician would treat me as nice as you treat my pets.'"

'Nough said.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Secret #8- Get Out Of My Way!

"If you're visiting your pet in the hospital, and we say something along the lines of 'OK, it's time to let Fluffy sleep now,' often what we really mean is you're in our way, and we're trying to treat other patients."

Now, If I was visiting my sick child in the hospital and a nurse inferred that I was in the way and needed to leave, I'd be a bit upset.

I worked (briefly) in a higher-end restaurant bussing tables. There were nights when we were all tired, ready to clean up and go home, but there were still customers lingering over their desserts and coffee, and chatting. So we would clear the table. Then we'd stop refilling the drinks. Turn down the lights. Turn off the heat/air. Wait for them to get the hint and leave. To this day, I don't stay at a restaurant 'til close or after.

But I'm not in a hospital to socialize. I'm worried about my sick loved one. If I'm in your way, maybe you need to find a way to allow me to visit less intrusively.

Here's what I will do as a vet- and what I have seen my most fabulous, goddesses-among-women techs do. We will take a patient into an exam room to visit- this lets their people have quiet time out of everyone's way. Or we will allow people to visit their pets in our teatment area, and will gently ask the to excuse us when we need them to move. I have never had anyone protest.

If it gets to be after hours, I will tell the client that we are officially closing, that one of us will stay for a bit while they visit. The vast majority of people will then thank us for staying a few extra minutes and will leave on their own.

The point? Well, I guess I'm trying to say this- These are pet parents, worried sick about their pets who are trusted into our care. They are not in the way. They are the reason we are here. They may well respond better to direct words than indirect hints. What's after "let Fluffly rest?" Turn off the lights? Not on my watch.

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

recap

For those who may not have been in this from the start- I am commenting on a recent Reader's Digest article that lists 50 secrets your vet won't tell you...more to come....

#7- where's my tricorder?



"Here's a pet peeve: owners who don't want to pay for diagnostic tests but then cop an attitude because you don't know what's wrong with the animal. Since you won't let me do the blood work or x-rays, how the heck do you expect me to know?"

Yep, I think we've all been there. Look, gentle readers, we vets are good at what we do, but we are not psychic, we do not have magic 8 balls with all the answers. What we have is years of training, years of experience, and great testing (diagnostic) options available to us.

Many of us would love to provide the diagnostics (and our time, and our technician's time, and our receptionist's time, and the light and the heat, etc) to you for free, but we can't, any more than you provide your services or time for free at your place of employment.

Here's the thing- excellent veterinary medical care is expensive. We can't get past it.

Step back- actually, excellent veterinary care is a really good bargain. Like I have said in a previous post, each of my c-sections cost over $15,000. The last c-section/spay I performed cost the owner $800. Cheap.

But here's the point the vet in the above quote is making- unlike human medicine, where it is between the doc and the insurance company which tests will be performed, in my office you are the responsible party. You say yes or no to the testing. You are faced with the budgeting.

Most of us vets understand living on a budget. We have it down. We will not berate you for not being able to afford something. Just don't act like it's our fault you can't afford it.

And don't get mad when we give you options for finding out what the issue at hand is, but cannot give you a definite answer when you can't agree to the diagnostics. It would be like calling my car repair place complaining of a noise in the engine, but not allowing them to open the hood or use a diagnostic tool. How can I expect them to know what's going on, let alone fix it, without all the information?

So until that great day when I get my tricorder, diagnostic testing like radiography, blood work and ultrasound will have to do. At a price.

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Secret #6: Fatty, fatty 2 x 4....

"The reaon your pet is fat is beacuse you are, too. I would never say that to someone in an exam room, but the fact of that matter is, if you have an owner who overeats and is inactive, they are very likely to have an obese pet."

*see previous path-vet blog notes on obesity and weight loss*

There is a propblem with obesity in our pets just as there is in our people. It boils down to the same thing on either side- too many calories in, too few calories out. Do fat people have fat pets? Maybe. But I see thin people with fat pets, and fat people with thin pets.

Discussing the lifestyle choices we make for our pets is reasonable. Insulting their people is not. (Not implying that this vet ever does actually insult the owners, at least not to their faces.)

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Secret #5: Hospital vs Hotel

"We're a pet hospital, not a dog hotel. People will get upset because their dog got a sheet instead of two fluffy blankets or because their dog didn't get hand-fed. We're just trying to get your dog better so he can come home and you can spoil him."

Well, I thought the beds in the hospital where I delivered my kids were pretty far from hotel comfort, too. I didn't expect them to be softer, or have more pillows or blankets. True enough.



I also agree that some people get upset over things that seem pretty trivial to me. But I do try to listen. And if my client is worries about comfort because of arthritis, we will try to keep more bedding down. If hand feeding is needed to get hat pet better so he can go home- it will be done. Heck, I've had staff go to the grocery for deli meat to try to convince patients to eat. We like to spoil them when they are with us, too.

I think that the underlying concern in this comment is that we feel underappraciated, even when we are doing our best. Sometimes we feel people pick on the small issues- like a nail trim- and don't really "get" the good we are doing with the big issues- like saving lives.

No, a sick dog in the hospital will not be treated like a healthy dog in a fancy boarding kennel. I did not get the same treatment in the hospital as I do at a hotel. I got more attention in the hospital, if fewer luxeries. The same is likely true for your pet as well. Trust in the hospital staff, and don't be offended if we ask you to ;eave your bedding at home.

But flip side- hospital staff, recognize that owners feel like they need some control of the situation- and we all deal with stress differently. Respect those folks for the love they have for their pets, and that they are putting their trust in you.

Enjoy your pets!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Secret #4: Many Thanks!

"Looking for a way to say thank you to your vet? Last year, one pet owner gave us a check for $100, saying we could use it at our discretion for an animal in need. That was a wonderful gift."



Cool. I agree, neat gift. Many vets do "good sam" work- take in kittens left on the doorstep, for example. A little money to fund those in need is a great idea.

We also like chocolate. Or cookies. Or, well, you get the idea.

Enjoy your pets.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Secret #3: Elaine's medical chart

"Most hospitals keep comprehensive records of behavior- of both your pet and you! If you are aggressive to the staff, you will be treated differently."

Hmmmm. Well....

I have never worked in a vet hospital that kept extensive records of client behavior. Payments made, sure- that can be found in the software. Aggressive dog or cat- yes, a note will be made to keep us all safe.

But client behavior?

I have come accross some really nasty clients over the years. Most of the time I understand that I just got in on a really bad day for them. Very rarely is it personal. And if a client is upset because of something the staff or I did, or something that happened on my watch, I think I'm pretty good at acknowledging mistakes and trying to fix them. There might be a note indicating the client was upset over the situation.

Yes, I have known clients that are rude to the staff on a regular basis. There is no need for notes on this one, folks- we all know who these people are. There are some clients we know will be more difficult than others.

Treat them differently? Really? Like what, I wonder- ignore them when they get in the waiting room? Leave them on hold? Spit in their pets' food? I hope not. All of our clients deserve to be treated with respect, and their pets with kindness.

In my opionion, if a client is aggressive to the staff, then that client needs to be told to go elsewhere.



Enjoy your pets!

PS- bonus points if you "get" the title

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Secret #2: Liar, Liar, pants on fire

"We know when you're twisting the facts. If your dog has a five pound tumor hanging from his skin, please don't tell me it wasn't there yesterday."

Well, yeah, generally a five pound mass (think, size of a melon) doesn't show up overnight. I might roll my eyes a bit.

Have a little faith in my professionalism. Intentionally lying, telling me it grew that fast will not make me treat you or your pet any differently. Neither will telling me you have been watching the mass grow for the last few months because you couldn't afford to bring it in, or you took the ostrich approach and hoped it would go away. We need to deal with the issue as it is today, and I for one will not waste time leveling a guilt complex on you.

Having said that- folks, most issues do start small. Then they get big. Some get so big they can no longer be fixed. Trust us- the small issues, brought up early, allow us time to fix things at less expense than trying to salvage something when the problem is huge. In other words- it's easier to remove a mass the size of a pea, or even a lemon, than one the size of a melon.



Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Secret #1: Big Dog/Small Dog

The quote:

"People always ask: 'How do you handle pit bulls and rottweilers and big german shepherds?' The truth is, the dogs that scare me most are the little chihuahuas. They're much more likely to bite."

I have jokingly said for years- ever since my stint as "kennel crew" that I am more worried about the small breed dogs that are aggressive than the bigger ones. The small dogs seem like they are more likely to bite without warning. They lunge fast. Sometimes they insist on biting my shoes even when we are all done with the doctor stuff.



But...big dogs that are aggressive tend to cause worse injuries. I have the scars to prove it. They can be much harder to restrain- imagine a 100 lb vet tech trying to hold a 150 lb dog, who does not want to be held, for a blood draw. Or a nail trim. It can get hairy.

I think the larger point is this- we all prefer to see the well-mannered, well trained dog come into the practice. Sure, we can deal with the nasty ones. We have muzzles and medication. But there is very little reason to joke- a bite from any pet can be terrible. And yes, this includes cats, ferrets, iguanas and birds.

Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Darn Reader's Digest!

I don't know whether you, my audience of three or so, have read the recent Reader's Digest article, 50 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You. I don;t know whether you recall a Consumer Reports article on saving money on your vet bills a few years ago, or the one about pet foods before that.

Look, I know these magazines need to sell copy and ads. "List" articles seem to be ever popular (Top 10 hairstyles for 2013!). And I realize that some magazines, papers, websites and blogs look for shock content to publish. It drives sales through readership. Yes, I know. And maybe I'm old fashioned in thinking that a well-thought-out article is not too much to ask. Sigh. I'm just tired of feeling my choice of profession- usually considered widely well-regarded- is being targeted and picked on. Sigh again.

So, here we go. Reader's Digest compiled a list of 50 things your vet won't tell you. They are quotes from vets and vet techs (vet nurses). I think some have some merit, others are funny, some are just plain wrong. I have spoken to colleagues who feel the gist of the article is demeaning. Others who find it inflammatory. One who thinks that any vet or tech who makes degrading comments about our profession cannot be right in the head.

I am going to parse this out. Over the next few weeks, I plan to take these points individually and consider them. Please remember- these comments are mine and mine alone, based on my education and experience. My blog is intended to be educational to some degree, but also fun (and at times heavy on the sarcasm).



Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Incestuous Relations

"They wouldn't do that! They're brother and sister!"

No, it's not some twisted new reality show. Or Flowers in the Attic. It's the littermates in the kitchen.

News flash- seeing incest as wrong is a human issue. Your pets don't care. Sure, given the oppurtunity, a group of animals may instinctively seek out a non-relative with whom to procreate- that way they get the genetic diversity that can help increase the groups ability to survive. But the cats in the neighborhood or the dogs in your yard just don't care.

All they know is that there is a female in heat, rarin' to go. And that testosterone is saying- let's do it!  There is no yuck factor for your pets. There is only urge. They don't think it through. They just act.

Hormones are strong, as we can all attest, right?  And without the social mores, without the ability to think a situation through, there is no reason not to act on those hormones.  This is how we get inbreeding.

In all honesty, inbreeding is how we have gotten many of today's recognizablw breeds of dogs and cats. People deliberately bred siblings, or mothers and sons, or fathers and daughters. They did this to try to preserve desirable traits in the dogs or cats. They did it often enough that they got consistent results- and viola- Labradors. Or Siamese. Or whatever.

One can argue that this inbreeding- be it many generations ago- is why purebreeds are more prone to certain diseases. They have less genetic diversity.

The point is this- if you have not spayed or neutered in the mistaken belief that "they won't do that," you are in for a surprise. Spay. Neuter. Save yourself a shock to your system. Save your vet a rant.


Enjoy your pets!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Orchiectomy

"His are mine."

OK, boys. Please don't tell me that you really take this seriously. I had a client once tell me that he did not want to neuter his dog because "his are mine." I really wanted to show him that that was not true- that each of them did, in fact, have their own separate set of testicles. I held my tongue.

There is an overpopulation of pets. This is generally accepted. Male cats and dogs play a pivotal role in continuing population growth. True. A male can inseminate many females, where a female is limited by heat cycles an pregancy to a finite number of offspring a year. Cannot be debated. But as I have said before, there is more to the story.

Orchiectomy- to remove the testicles. Neuter. Alter. Fix. Unman.

Poor things. They will miss all that testosterone, the need to fornicate with any willing female.

HUH?

Imagine you are a housedog, male, over 6 months of age. Now imagine that while you have your testicles intact, your people have no intention of letting you breed. They know all about pet overpopulation problems, do not want puppies themselves, but don't want to deprive you of your manlihood.  How frustrsted are you? No sex? A pillow? No wonder you attack everyone and everything in sight. And now it's spring (or fall) and the pheromones (scent hormones) flying through the air from that female in heat 3 streets over, and those up to a mile away, are in the air. They are driving you nuts!

So you pace the fence. You bolt out the front door. You actually make it out of the yard and into the street and.....BAM!

Never saw the car coming, did you?  You were so crazy with the genetically programmed, hormone driven need to procreate you just got maimed. Or killed.

I'm not kidding. The drive is strong. To be neutered is safer. And seriously, the dogs and cats don't mind.

Here's a story...when I met my husband, he had an adult male Americal Bulldog named Sabo (named for the depleted uranium tank missiles, not the baseball player). Sabo was a great dog, one of the best personalities you'd ever hope top meet. Finally, after a couple years of asking, my husband let me neuter Sabo. Jeff was concerned. He didn't want to lose his macho protection-trained dog and gain a couch potato. But he wanted the best for Sabo's health. So he was neutered. About six months later I asked Jeff- "So, what do you think? Do you regret letting me do that?"

Jeff's reply, "He's the same dog he ever was." And after that, Jeff became the champion of the neighborhood recommending sapy and neuter to anyone who would listen.

What happens if you don't neuter? Besides frustration, the increased likelihood of injury? Well, the boys can get cancer, too. In the testicles. Or around the anus. Nasty, life-threatening, painful, testosterone driven cancer.

Please. For their health. So you can enjoy him longer. Neuter.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Ovariohysterectomy

Whew! That's a big word for a post title! You can say spay if you'd rather- I use spay more than ovariohysterectomy myself. But I think it's a good idea to remember just what we are talking about. So let's break it down:

ovario- having to do with the ovaries (the organ that makes eggs and produces some hormones)
hyster- Greek for uterus (also the basis for words like hysteria and hysterical- think about that)
ectomy- to cut out

Therefore- an ovariohysterectomy is to cut out the ovaries and uterus. Spay. Sterilize. Alter. Fix.

Look, folks, this is major surgery. We veterinarians do it every day, in some cases dozens of times in a day. So we look at it as "routine" surgery. But it is in fact significant surgery. We open up the abdomen (belly) and take out organs. Organs that have a tendency to bleed. This takes education and skill.

I'm not here to whine, so I apologize for sounding whiny. Vets hear complaints about pricing so often that we develop some sensitivities about it. Add that to many people thinking that we are not "real" doctors and we can get a serious complex.

Here are the facts. We have a pet population problem in much of the country. One way to reduce pet population is to consistently spay and neuter our pets that are not going to be used for purposeful, conscientious breeding.

But as I have written before (and said many, many times) population control is not the only- or maybe even the best- reason to spay your pet. Health is.

Ovariohysterectomy. Removing the ovaries and uterus means we will never have ovarian cancer or uterine cancer in that dog or cat. If you spay young, preferably before the first heat, we almost eliminate the chances of mammary cancer. Yes, dogs and cats get breast cancer. It is hormone driven, and the risks increase with the first few heat cycles. If you wait to spay until they have had three or more heats, you increase the chances that they will develop breast (mammary) cancer later in life. And yes, breast cancer can kill dogs and cats.

If those reasons aren't enough, let me give you one more. Pyometra. Shall we break it down again?

pyo- pus, infected
metra- uterus

A pyometra is an infected uterus. Imagine a tube that is normally the size of a pencil swollen to the size of a summer sausage. Now imagine that sausage in your belly. Ouch and yuck, right?

Now imagine that there are two summer sausages side by side, connected at the bottom. The sausages are filled with pus, not meat. That's an infected uterus for a dog or cat. Some are closed pyometras, which means the pus stays inside the uterus until it bursts. That's awful, painful, and life-threatening. Deadly.

Or the pus can drain out. This might be a little less deadly in the short term, but imagine a constant stream of thick, smelly pus draining from your nether regions. Imagine feeling nauseous, urinating all the time, feverish, crampy, bloated....

Then imagine your doctor scheduling emergency surgery to remove this nasty, pus-filled, distended, tends-to-tear-and-leak-all-over organ. After normal hours. Or over lunch. The MDs bill would probably run in the tens of thousands range (my C-sections were each over $10,000). Your vet likely charges 1/10 of that for the emergency surgery. A "routine" spay at 4-6 months of age will cost significantly less than an emergency spay.

See why we push for ovariohysterectomies when pets are young? We want them to be well. We want to impact your budget less. Really.

Enjoy your pets!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Let the soap boxing begin!

I wrote the next few posts already, but realized I was soap boxing about the importance of spay/neuter without really linking them to the last post- the birds and the bees.

So I thought I might elaborate a little on the pet peeve issue.

5.  If you want your kids to see the "miracle of life" (and let's be honest, it's pretty gross!), there are videos, TV shows, books- heck, you can probably find all sorts of birthing videos on you-tube. Adding to the pet population and putting your pets at risk is NOT needed. Also, not a good way to teach kids responsibility- who do you think will really be the person cleaning up after a dozen 12 pound puppies?Or even a few kittens? Your 6 and 8 year olds? Good luck with that.





4.  "I want to get my money out of her." You never will. I know the ads in the paper for puppies for $500 and up look appealing, and the pet stores sell for hundreds or thousands. I know. But you are the person with the bitch, say. You are responsible for her vet care until she is old enough to breed. Then you might have a stud fee. If you do it right, you will have at least one pre-natal exam at the vet for an ultrasound or radiographs to count puppies (not always accurate, but can be very helpful, nonetheless).

   If she has a normal delivery, awesome. But if she doesn't you may have a trip to the emergency vet, possibly emergency surgery. I tell my clients they need a couple thousand dollars put aside in case of this type of emergency. Then you have puppies, yay!

  Mom generally takes care of the feeding and cleaning for the first couple of weeks. But after that, you will have more mouths to feed and more poop and pee to wipe up. Again, if you do it right you will be house training and socializing these pups. You will have company over. You will vacuum around them.

  Then they need deworming. And vaccines. Vet behaviorists tell us that pups should stay in the litter and with mom for at least 6-8 weeks, and likely would benefit from staying until 10-12 weeks old. See where this is going?

  And finally, you have to find them homes. You can hope that people will pay what you think your investment of time and money is worth. And then hope their new people are happy and don't want to return one for a refund.

  Not all roses, is it?                                         

3. Money. Yes, excellent veterinary care is expensive. But spay or neutering now will likely save significantly on expenses down the road.






2. Let me tell you a story....When I met my husband, his American Bulldog named Sabo was intact. He was concerned about neutering causing a behavior change in Sabo. Plus, I think it was a guy thing- they just like those testicles being there. Then we got a female black Labrador named Bella. Bella was spayed right away.

   When I discussed neutering Sabo, Jeff said to me, "You don't understand how I feel about it. You don't have testicles." Actually, I think he put it a bit more crudely, but oh, well.

   My reply: "True, but I do have ovaries and a uterus, and I had no problem spaying Bella!"

  Silence.  I still don't understand the connection between a man's reproductive organs and his dog's. Jeff did let me neuter Sabo. The rest of the story is included in a post yet to come.

1. Anesthesia. There is always a risk of complications, including death, with any anesthetic procedure. But here's the thing- that risk is much higher if we are forced to perform the surgery when your pet is ill. So have the procedure done while it is still "elective" rather than "emergency."

Enjoy your pets!


funny cat pictures - Well, SOMEONE'S going to the doctor.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The birds and the bees

The top 5 things I dislike hearing from pet owners when we discuss spaying or neutering:

5. I want my kids to experience the miracle of life
4. I want to get my money out of him/her
3. I can't afford the surgery
2. It will change his/her personality; I can't take away his manhood
1. Anesthesia scares me, or, I lost a pet during surgery before and I won't go through that again

So, the topic for the month is going to be reproduction and why we should limit it. Here's a tease: it's not all about pet overpopulation!

Fair warning- this is a hot-button topic for me. These posts may have some frank discussion about reproduction, and a tendency to be a little off-color. No offence is intended, just odd humor. I appreciate your understanding.


Enjoy your pets!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

No shots for you!

So, let's say you are totally, completely against vaccines. Or you are the proud pet parent of a dog who has allergic reactions to vaccines. Now what?

This is where the art of medicine starts to play more of a role. Each pet is an individual. And we, as veterinarians, need to keep this in mind and be ready to tailor protocols to meet the individual's needs, keeping health and safety in mind at all times. This, folks, is the basis of the concept of holistic medicine- treating the whole patient. We vets do it almost without thinking every day. There is very little that is set in stone for us.

Vaccines are very important. They keep our pets protected from life-threatening diseases, and some diseases that may not be life-threatening, but can be debilitating. These same vaccines also help protect the people in our pets' lives, as well. There are several diseases that we can catch from the animals in our lives. Rabies is one obvious one. Leptospirosis, a bacteria that affects the liver and kidneys, is another. If a pet is able to get a recommended vaccine, I strongly urge owners to comply.



But some won't, and some can't. So now what?

There are a few options for vaccines. If you have a dog or cat that gets a mild reaction to the vaccine (like hives or mild vomiting) we can pre-medicate with a steroid and Benadryl, or a steroid or Benadryl. This helps to decrease the immune system's response to the perceived immune trigger. Most of the time this seems to help.

If, however, your pet has had a more severe reaction, or has had a reaction despite pre-medication, we may consider other options. One option is to choose to stop giving vaccines. I cringe a little as I type this, because discontinuing the vaccines carries inherent risks. Therefore, anytime I have this discussion with a pet's people, I try to make it very clear that we are balancing risks and benefits, and in choosing to not vaccinate we are incurring some risks that need to be known. We are knowingly leaving a gap in out pet's immunity. The risk of life-threatening parvo or distemper in an adult, otherwise healthy dog that has at least had the puppy series of vaccines is probably fairly low. But it does exist. There is always a risk of being exposed to, and contracting, kennel cough. Or lepto.

Choosing to stop vaccines means most kennels and pet resorts will not board your pet. You may need to make other arrangements when you go out of town. Some groomers require up to date vaccines for grooming appointments. Don't be mad at them- they have responsibility to keep all of the pets in their care safe.

There are tests for the level of immunity in a pet's system. You may have heard of titer tests. If you are against vaccines on principle, you may have discussed them with your vet. Titer tests can be helpful, but they are not perfect.

A titer is the concentration of something. A titer test is a test to determine the concentration of that thing. The way this works with immunity, a blood sample is drawn at the vet's and sent to a laboratory. The lab technicians (or a machine) place drops of the blood sample into small vials. They serially dilute each sample. In other words, the vials will have all blood, 1/2 blood. 1/4 blood, 1/16 blood, 1/32 blood, etc. They then check to see at what dilution the blood sample stops reacting to an analog for the disease. The last one to react is reported back to us. I get a report that says something like- titer IgG parvo 1:400 (making up the details here). Then I compare that ratio number to what is generally considered to be protective immunity. This gives us a yes or know answer to the question: is my pet protected from this disease?
Sounds cool, right? Blood test says yes, there is protection, then there is no need to vaccinate this year. Blood test says no, then we need the shot. Great. Next patient, please....

Problem is this- titer immunity does not necessarily correlate to true protection. UGH

We use the test anyway. I get titer tested periodically to see if my rabies vaccines I got a decade ago are still effective. We send blood to Kansas to be tested for pets going to Hawaii or Europe- they must be rabies titered. But I don't titer my own pets in place of vaccines. I give the shots.

fotosearch.com

Why? I believe that the immunity given by the shots is important. I believe that the titers are useful, but not absolute. I believe that the risk associated with vaccines is much smaller than the risk of disease. I want to take advantage of the amazing, incredible protection modern medicine is able to provide. But that's my decision, for my pets. If you want to discuss the ins and outs of vaccines for your pets, I will. I have many pets that have altered vaccine schedules, a few that I do not vaccinate at all. Holistic. Individual. Tailored.

Enjoy your pets!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Shooting the grown-ups

I hope those of you who are checking this out now feel you have a better understanding of the importance of the series of puppy vaccines vets recommend. It's a fairly straight forward recommendation, and as for as I know pretty much every veterinarian makes the same recommendations.

Things get a little bit murkier once the pets are grown up- say, over a year old. This is where having one group making protocols that we all follow might help, but the independant nature of vets doesn't really allow that. For now.

Last time we talked about immunity, and the fact that when we give the last set of puppy shots, we expect the body to make and store a blueprint of the fighting factors it can use against specific diseases. These blueprints are stored for a time, but not forever. So we generally recommend vaccinating again about a year after the dog or cat had the last in the series of vaccines. This puts them in the office at about 1 1/2 years of age. They get their good, complete exam (which, frankly,  is the most improtant part of the whole visit), and a repeat of the shots they had as a youngster.

Which vaccines, you ask? OK, this is part of the variation.

Which vaccines are used can depend on several factors. Let's talk dogs first. There are three vaccines that are considered "core." These are the shots that are recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle or where in the states they live. Those are rabies, parvovirus and distemper virus.

Then there are non-core vaccines. These can be given based mainly on lifestyle or location. Lyme disease, leptospirosis, bordetella, canine flu are included in this catagory.

vetmed.auburn.edu

Most vets will give core vaccines to every patient, then add non-core based on that individual patients needs. Lyme for those in lyme endemic areas or hikers, leptospirosis for those expected to be exposed to wildlife or standing water sources, bordetella for those who will be staying at a kennel or  going to the groomer. Canine flu is usually resaerved for dogs kenneled or shown. So this is why your veterinarian or vet tech/nurse will ask about lifestyle. We need the information to develop a plan to keep your dog safe.

Cats have two core vaccines- rabies and feline distemper, also called FVRCP, CVR, and a few other things. Plus non-core vaccines like feline leukemia, FIV, and FIP. The decision to add the non-core generally is based on whether your cat is indoor or indoor/outdoor. Be honest with your vet. We just want what is best for your cat. And yes, even cats that are indoors all the time need that exam and the core vaccines. Rabies is required in much of the country for all cats and dogs.

Sounds simple, right?

After that 1 1/2 year old appointment, things get tricky. The core vaccines have been reliably shown to provide immunity that lasts at least 3 years. But not all vets give the shots every 3 years. Some still give them yearly. Some give all three core shots once every 3 years. Some divide them up, so your dog gets one shot each year, on a rotation. Confused yet? I don't blame you.

Let's throw more into the mix. The non-core vaccines tend to have immunity that does not last 3 years. In fact, there's evidence that the bordetella vaccine may only last 6-8 months. So what to do? It depends. No, really. Some places require bordetella every 6 months, some yearly. The other non-core shots are generally boostered every 12 months.

So, the bottom line here is each veterinarian develops a protocol based on current information that he or she is comfortable recommending. Talk to your vet. Ask about the protocol they employ.

Here's my opinion at this time. The exam is the most important part of the whole vet visit. Yes, I can do a complete exam in just a few minutes. Usually while I'm taking to you, asking quiestions. That few minutes of exam is a distillation of 8 years of college and 12 years experience. I could make it take longer, but it wouldn't be any more complete. Just sayin'.

I come from a practice that has been using a 3 year rotating protocol for dogs. We do all core vaccines as puppies, and at the 1 1/2 year appointment. Then we divide them out- distemper, parvo, rabies- one each year on a rotating basis. This means fewer shots at each of those yearly visits. Non-core are all yearly, as needed based on lifestyle.

Cats get baby series, then both core vaccines at 1 1/2. Then FVRCP every 3 years, but rabies yearly. This has to do with the type of rabies vaccine we use for the cats. Ask us. Ask any of us vets at anytime. We are happy to discuss our vaccine protocols and the reasons behind them.

Enjoy your pets!




Friday, April 6, 2012

puppy shots

"The breeder told me he had all his shots."


grinninggoldens.com

There are few things clients say to me that aggravate me more. This one isn't the clients fault. Breeders who give out wrong information or are deliberately misleading about needed vaccines drive me nuts. Please don't get me wrong. There are many really good breeders, people who breed because they love a certain type of dog or cat and want to do it right- breeding for temperament, health and longevity.

But there are some people who don't know what they are doing. And they seem to delight in putting really bad information out there like it is gospel truth. For example- "the pup has had all needed shots" at 8 weeks of age. UGH

OK here are the facts. Puppies and kittens get antibodies (infection fighters) from their mother, if the mother was properly vaccinated. These antibodies provide immunity to the puppies. Newborns drink these antibodies in their mother's milk. The antibodies cross over the intestinal lining intact and get to work keeping the babies safe from common diseases. This is good.

This immunity from mom doesn't last forever. And thanks to some amazing scientists over the years, we have developed ways to re-create immunity. Our immune systems have memory. Once you have been exposed to and defeated a disease, the body keeps a blueprint of the successful disease-fighting agents on file. Then, if the same disease is found later, it can be fought off faster, sometimes before we realize we are sick. Vaccines take the place of the initial disease encounter. They are tailored to stimulate the immune system to fight off an invader that doesn't actually make us sick, but then the blueprint is still available to fight off the real thing, should it ever be encountered. Obviously, I'm trying to simplify a bit. I'm sure you can find more complete explanations, I just didn't want to copy an immunology text onto the blog. Maybe just one picture, for kicks and giggles:


wikipedia.com


Back to the puppies and kittens. Mom's immunity in their systems lasts a few weeks. But somewhere between six and fourteen weeks of age, that immunity goes away. The babies are now susceptible to diseases. Nasty, life-threatening things like parvovirus. This is where we step in.

Most puppies and kittens will start getting vaccines about 6-8 weeks of age. They really don't need them any earlier, except perhaps if they were never nursed. This is not a random age choice. This is the early end of the loss of mom's immunity. We will then booster the vaccine (re-vaccinate) every 3-4 weeks until the puppy or kitten is over 14-16 weeks old. There is science to this, I swear. The vaccine provides better immunity that mom's alone in this time frame, but the lingering effects of mom's immunity and the immature state of the immune system don't allow the blueprints to be stored long-term. So we have to remind the system what it needs to be prepared to fight.

One the puppy or kitten is over that 14-16 week mark, the immune system can be expected to store the blueprint longer, generally for about a year for most diseases. So we usually give the last set of vaccines at about 4-5 months of age. Then we can schedule spay or neuter (but that's a discussion for another day).

So there you have it. This is why I go slightly nuts when I am presented with a cute, fuzzy, 10 week old puppy and am told that he had all his shots.

Or picture this scene:

Pitiful puppy on the exam table, about 5 months old, thin, tired, dehydrated because she has spent the last few hours/days vomiting and having severe diarrhea. The parvovirus test is positive for the disease.


greenwichtime.com

Me: "Parvo is a virus that causes life-threatening vomiting and diarrhea. I can't treat the virus. All we can do now is support her system and hope that she can fight the virus off herself. She may die. And the treatment to try to save her life will be expensive."

Owner: "But the breeder said she had all her shots! They gave her her parvo shots!"

Me: "How long have you had her?"

Owner: "Since she was 8 weeks old."

See the reason for my anxiety? This is a preventable disease. Now the person in the above scene will need to find money to pay for treatment that might not work. The owner didn't know. She was making decisions based on the information she was given when she bought the puppy. If the breeder had done the responsible thing, recommended monthly visits to the vet to discuss care and get shots, this could have been completely avoided.

Enjoy your pets!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

SHOOT!

Let's talk shots.

I like lemon drops. And my brother once got smashed on something called a Louisiana leg-spreader.

But that's not really what I want to discuss. Sorry. Instead, let's talk about the shots we vets give your pets. The vaccines.

Some people will have you believe that vaccines are not important for health. Some will tell you that vaccines are actually dangerous. Some will tell you that they are absolutely essential at every annual or semi-annual vet visit. So what is the truth?

The truth is fluid. We are constantly re-evaluating the risks and benefits of all vaccines. This is actually true on the human side of medicine as well as on my side. So there may be changes in the recommendations of which vaccines to give, when in life and how often to give them. Even the best methods to administer them. Vets "in the trenches" are left to shuffle through the evidence and the recommendations and develop protocols for our patients that we are comfortable with.

And herein lies one of the basic issues. I'm not exactly sure just how it works with people, but at the pediatrician level at least there appears to be one set code of rules for vaccines. These are set by a group and are followed by all pediatricians. Schools require that these codes are followed. There is consistency. Vets get recommendations from groups such as the American Animal Hospital Association or the Association of Feline Practitioners, but we don't have a group that we allow to set the rules that we all follow. Veterinarians are pretty independent by nature, and we don't like to be dictated to.

So this leaves us in something of a quandary. Where do we get our information? Who do we trust? Do we trust the companies that make the vaccines to have the best, unbiased information? We need to know the agenda of whomever we are trusting for the data that we use to set our vaccine schedules. We hope that our associations will look at all the evidence available and help develop recommendations that are based on good science. Are they?

This is why the protocols we all follow may change from time to time. We are all, as a group and as individual veterinarians within our own practices, continually re-examining the evidence we have at hand. We are sometimes slow to change, but that is because we need to be convinced that the change is safe and effective. So this month I want to talk shots. I will not claim to have all the answers. I may well ruffle some feathers. I hope to make you think just a little about some of the blanket statements you hear.

Then maybe we can go out for a lemon drop or two.

Monday, February 27, 2012

addendum

Petstages Light Blue Small 576 Occupi Puppy <em>Treat Dispensing</em> ToyPet Buddies PB4500 Pooch <em>Treat</em> House Interactive <em>Treat Dispenser</em> 0Ethical <em>Dog</em> Black 4 Inch 5363 Tire Stack <em>Treat Dispenser</em>
Helpful treat dispensers!  One way to help increase exercise for both cats and dogs is to get toys that make them move. There's an amazing variety of toys out there that will stimutate pets' brains, and keep their interest by occasionally popping out a treat. How cool is that? You can even consider putting the whole day's calorie content in a treat ball and letting your pet "hunt" for food all day long. Awesome!